I've accepted a teaching jposition in this area. Two days a week at one school in PCB and two days at the another other just over the bridge in PC.

What's your opinion of living on the beach side. I'd love to find a two bedroom place within walking distance of the gulf beaches. I'll definitely rent for at least the first year. The realtor's have told me I'll find something.

BUT, some have warned me that the traffic is horrendous and I should live on the city side. I'm no party animal, but I do love the beach.

I'm also no spring chicken, but I don't think that living in a tourist area will bother me. I grew up in Va. Beach, VA.

So, opinions? Should I try the beach side for a year and see what I think? Or just head over the bridge and find a nice suburban home?

I live in town and work on the beach. Traffic is pretty bad, but tolerable in my opinion. Expect traffic delays every morning and every afternoon until they finish the Thomas Drive project (another 3 or 4 years I think). There's lots of construction going on in that area.

Each morning I get caught in traffic anywhere from 10-30 mins. Same with afternoon traffic.

If you cross the bridge before 7am, you may miss most of the morning traffic.

Afternoon rush hour traffic is bad from about 4-6.

Try it for a year... just expect delays and allow yourself time to leave early.

Congrats! You'll love PCB!

Jeeze, I should have proof-read my message before posting! Thank goodness I'm only a "gym" teacher!

Thanks for the response. What you've said makes good sense. I'll be house hunting the last week of June and will "test" the traffic patterns at that time. I'd hate to find a place that I thought would be a 20 minute drive only to later discover that it would vary by 10 to 30 more minutes. Don't think the principal would approve!

Would you say that the majority of the work related traffic is headed from the beach into the city or just the opposite, like yourself?

Is the Thomas Dr. contruction mainly just that bridge area? Or does it extend further into the beach area (south?)

Morning traffic delays are mostly Westbound (going from town to the beach)... the Eastbound traffic seems to flow pretty good.

Afternoon traffic is bad both ways.

I think you'd be ok in the mornings. But you'll see afternoon delays for sure.

The construction is all within a 1/2 mile of the bridge (on the beach side)... but it's a mess right now.

Now, I think that sounds ideal. As a teacher, I'd be up and out pretty early, heading East over the bridge only those two days (the other two are right there in PCB.)

In the afternoons, I'm done teaching well before most people are getting off of work.

I knew I was thinking right! Pooh, to those party poopers who said I shouldn't consider living on the beach!

Thanks, again, for your input.

Congratulations mamamarch. I wish I had your dilemma. I know what I'd do.......I'd live on the beach. :)

Thanks for the affirmation! That's what I was figuring: "What a life!"

And just think, I'll never be short on visitors. My Dad used to say, "If you want your grandchildren (which I don't have, yet) to come visit, you'd better give them more incentive than just seeing you."

Now, the big question: Is there housing available? I'm hoping. I'd like to rent for the first year, then look around to buy, maybe.

Housing shouldn't be a problem. There are several listings in the local online classifieds, but I saw a lot more in the actual paper yesterday (they were in the realtors ads). Panama City News Herald Classifieds Online

Your best bet is probably to check our Panama City Beach Real Estate section, pick out a few realtors, and start calling. Most of them will be very eager to work with you and should email or snail mail any listings they have that fit your needs.

Good Luck!

Thank goodness for forums!

Yes, I've started contacting realtors. And I've been watching the newspaper ads. I think I'm prepared to spend a few solid days of driving around to see it all.

Of course, the only thing I can really do is wait until I get there. But, it is amazing how much help it is to plan ahead. I have a feel for the locations, I'll need to see what they "look like", of course.

Thank you so much for your input. It has been valuable.

Buy some property that's not on the beach. Its asking for trouble if a hurricane strikes the area your SOL unless you have kick *** insurance. Maybe a condo You should think sanity first instead of throwing away extra $$ for the privilage of living on the beach.

Good luck with your job. its hotter than hell here but in Jan we can say "its 80 degrees and its 30 where you are.. neener neener" (i'm such a tease on the IRC)

Jul and Aug are two hot months but Gulf Power is cheaper than most. (I'm thinking about solar power though)

I'm in Navarre (well close) and prices are semi cheap here since this isn't a tourist spot (yet) and that's almost 70 miles from PCB. Ohh if you live on a high rise when it's windy they tend to sway (I'm not kidding) trust me get a house inland but close to the beach.

Rob

http://www.robfwb.com

I totally agree with what you're saying, BUT . . . I"m not buying yet. I'm renting! So, I made my trip down and found a rental vacation house that was willing to give me a long-term lease and reasonable rent.

I can live the lifestyle for a year while I decide how much of this was just fantasy. When the time comes to buy, I'll likely have my wits about me, having experienced the reality of things.

I'm looking forward to the extended periods of warm weather. It's not perfect anywhere you go (well, maybe San Diego), but these winters are driving me crazy (along with an ex and his family.) When it hits 30 degrees in January, we consider it a warm day!

But, the worst part is the length of winter. It's cold from Sept. thru June. I'll never forget our May 10th snow storm.

Thanks for your recommedations!

Debbie

Debbie - Do some research in the area as well apartment living can get pricy check out www.rent.net (or is it .com) and check out Panama City. Remember Google is your friend.

If you wish for me to send you some info private me with your email address.

Rob